The Instrument Rating is usually the next training step in a pilot’s career and is the second most popular training program after the Private Pilot certificate. This rating allows a pilot to fly Instrument Flight Rules, or IFR, a necessity when weather conditions are below basic Visual Flight Rules (VFR) minimums. In addition to learning to fly the aircraft solely by reference to the flight instruments, you will learn the p
rocedures required to fly the system under IFR, just like the airlines!
The training begins with basic aircraft control by reference to the flight instruments. After gaining proficiency with basic aircraft control, IFR procedures are introduced, starting with holding procedures and progressing to approach procedures. Departure, en-route, and arrival procedures are then covered, then
cross-country IFR trips are flown in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, culminating with instrument approaches flown at each destination airport.
To see the complete Federal Aviation Regulation on Instrument Rating requirements, click here
To see the complete Practical Test Standards for the Instrument Rating, click here
Instrument Rating FAQ’s
Why should I get an Instrument Rating? The Instrument rating allows a pilot to fly IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), weather conditions that would keep a VFR-only rated pilot on the ground. It is also the usual next step a pilot takes after receiving the Private Pilot certificate. Instrument training greatly increase your skills, proficiency and confidence in aircraft control, navigation, ATC communications, weather and multi-tasking. The instrument rating also gives a pilot more options than a VFR only pilot has. An instrument pilot has access to both sets of rules and can utilize one or both on any flight
Do students get to fly in actual IFR conditions during training? Yes! While most of the training will probably be conducted in simulated IMC conditions, or “under the hood” using a special visor that limits your view to only the instrument panel, once the student reaches a certain point in the training, flights will be flown if certain IMC conditions are present. However, some weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, icing, and heavy turbulence, will be avoided.
Is getting an instrument rating hard? The instrument rating is similar to what you had to accomplish for your private pilot certificate. You will have to read and study to pass another written knowledge test and another practical test in flight. It is just a new and different skill set. It will be difficult at first, but as skill and proficiency grows during training, your confidence grows as well.
Will I experience weather delays in training? As mentioned above, certain conditions are to be avoided in light aircraft, such as thunderstorms, icing, heavy turbulence and strong surface and crosswinds.
§61.65 Instrument rating requirements.
(a) General.
A person who applies for an instrument rating must:
(1) Hold at least a current private pilot certificate, or be concurrently applying for a private pilot certificate, with an airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift rating appropriate to the instrument rating sought;
(2) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet any of these requirements due to a medical condition, the Administrator may place such operating limitations on the applicant’s pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft;
(3) Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or accomplish a home-study course of training on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the instrument rating sought;
(4) Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying that the person is prepared to take the required knowledge test;
(5) Receive and log training on the areas of operation of paragraph (c) of this section from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device that represents an airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift appropriate to the instrument rating sought;
(6) Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying that the person is prepared to take the required practical test;
(7) Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section; however, an applicant is not required to take another knowledge test when that person already holds an instrument rating; and
(8) Pass the required practical test on the areas of operation in paragraph (c) of this section in—
(i) An airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift appropriate to the rating sought; or
(ii) A flight simulator or a flight training device appropriate to the rating sought and for the specific maneuver or instrument approach procedure performed. If an approved flight training device is used for the practical test, the instrument approach procedures conducted in that flight training device are limited to one precision and one nonprecision approach, provided the flight training device is approved for the procedure performed.
(b) Aeronautical knowledge. A person who applies for an instrument rating must have received and logged ground training from an authorized instructor or accomplished a home-study course on the following aeronautical knowledge areas that apply to the instrument rating sought:
(1) Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that apply to flight operations under IFR;
(2) Appropriate information that applies to flight operations under IFR in the “Aeronautical Information Manual;”
(3) Air traffic control system and procedures for instrument flight operations;
(4) IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems;
(5) Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts;
(6) Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts and the elements of forecasting weather trends based on that information and personal observation of weather conditions;
(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under instrument flight rules and conditions;
(8) Recognition of critical weather situations and windshear avoidance;
(9) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
(10) Crew resource management, including crew communication and coordination.
(c) Flight proficiency. A person who applies for an instrument rating must receive and log training from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, or in a flight simulator or flight training device, in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section, that includes the following areas of operation:
(1) Preflight preparation;
(2) Preflight procedures;
(3) Air traffic control clearances and procedures;
(4) Flight by reference to instruments;
(5) Navigation systems;
(6) Instrument approach procedures;
(7) Emergency operations; and
(8) Postflight procedures.
(d) Aeronautical experience for the instrument-airplane rating. A person who applies for an instrument-airplane rating must have logged:
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this section, 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in an airplane; and
(2) Forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operation listed in paragraph (c) of this section, of which 15 hours must have been received from an authorized instructor who holds an instrument-airplane rating, and the instrument time includes:
(i) Three hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in an airplane that is appropriate to the instrument-airplane rating within 2 calendar months before the date of the practical test; and
(ii) Instrument flight training on cross country flight procedures, including one cross country flight in an airplane with an authorized instructor, that is performed under instrument flight rules, when a flight plan has been filed with an air traffic control facility, and that involves—
(A) A flight of 250 nautical miles along airways or by directed routing from an air traffic control facility;
(B) An instrument approach at each airport; and
(C) Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems.